Here's an unexpected find in an unlikely place: a $13 million, 40,000-square-foot facility honoring a humble Franciscan friar in the heart of America's automotive industry.

It's the Father Solanus Casey Center, dedicated to telling the world about the Capuchin who became the first American-born male raised to the honor of “venerable.”

Right now is a fine time to visit the site, whether vicariously or actually, as the Church officially remembers Casey Nov. 5. But first, a recap of his life.

Bernard “Barney” Casey was born near Prescott, Wis., in 1870. One of 16 children in an Irish-immigrant family, he long dreamed about becoming a priest. For many years, it looked as though his dream would never come true.

Casey first left the family farm so he could work various jobs to help support his family. Then, when he was finally able to pursue the priesthood, he struggled with his studies. Rather than give up his dream, however, he agreed to be ordained a simplex priest, a designation that meant he couldn't preach a formal sermon or hear confessions.

Father Casey's initial assignment was in New York, where he served in Yonkers, Harlem and New York City. A doorkeeper and sacristan, he attracted others who were struck by his charity toward the sick, children, non-Catholics and the poor. He was also widely known for his listening skills and great compassion; people visited and prayed with him in droves, and soon began receiving healings, spiritual favors and the restoration of their faith. His superiors were so amazed by how many favors were being answered through his intercessions that they asked him to keep a daily journal of the people he saw and what transpired.

In 1924, Father Casey was transferred to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, and again quickly attracted a large following of folks reporting favors granted through his prayers. In addition to this ministry, he began handing out food to Detroit's poor during the Depression, which inspired the creation of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in 1929. It served more than 5,000 people a day in those difficult days. (Today the Capuchin Soup Kitchen has two facilities serving 2,500 meals a day, plus a service center that distributes 300,000 pounds of food monthly.)

Father Casey died in 1957 at the age of 87. Since they could no longer visit him, people began to request his intercession. The favors continued to flow. Eventually the Fr. Solanus Guild was formed to continue Casey's work and promote his canonization.

Solidarity

The new Solanus Casey Center is located next to the sprawling, red-brick Capuchin Monastery and Chapel, built in 1883 along eastern Detroit's Mount Elliott Avenue. One of the Capuchin Soup Kitchens is just one block away. A previous Solanus Casey Center, a makeshift collection of exhibits, managed to attract an impressive 55,000 visitors annually; nearly 200,000 people are expected to visit the new center each year.

Once in the new center, start your tour in the commons area, where statues of exemplary Christians, including Blessed Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr., remind visitors of contemporary Christians who put their faith into action. The commons area feeds into the rotunda, which contains a wooden replica of the tiny chapel that was originally on this property around 1883. Displays showcase Christianity as expressed in religious life, namely Capuchin life.

Enter the auditorium on the right to learn about Father Casey's life, either via video or through a talk given by a staff member. Walk next door to the display and gallery areas, which contain information and artifacts reflecting the various aspects and stages of Father Casey's life. Look for Father Solanus’ books, clock, skullcap and rosary, plus the harmonica he played and the vestments he wore at his last Mass. A recreation of his monastery room is also there; its door and frame were taken from Father Solanus’ actual room.

Progressing deeper into center, you'll see a beautiful Hall of Saints, whose glass walls recall Father Casey's role models — the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Martin DePorres, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Claire of Assisi and St. Thér`se of Lisieux. The glass wall looks out onto a meditation garden perfect for a quick reading or prayer.

The curving Hall of Saints leads to Father Casey's tomb, which is actually located in St. Bonaventure Monastery Church (the two buildings are connected). His casket is below ground, while the plain oak box sitting on the ground is his monument. Take a moment to kneel or sit in his presence, touch the tomb or invoke his intercession for a particular prayer request.

Carefully brushing off construction dust with my hand, I reverently placed it on Father Casey's tomb. Bernard, a simple farm boy who longed to serve at Christ's altar, humbly accepted his role as a simplex priest. In doing so, he was afforded the gift of time. This he shared with others who were in need of a good listener. By means of the center that bears his name, he's all ears even today.

Melanie Radzicki McManus writes from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.